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1985 Soutard, St-Émilion

SKU #107013290 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 1985 Soutard is a sensationally rich, tannic, deep, multidimensional wine that balances muscle and grace. It is more supple than usual, but still capable of 20 or more years of longevity. (RP)
(1/1998)

Wine Spectator

Plenty of flavor with ripe currant, plum and chocolate flavors, but it's a bit soft and fleshy at mid-palate. The tannins are gentle but firm, with the flavors carrying through on the finish.
(5/1988)

Product Reviews:

Here is a wine for those looking for a fully mature bottle that is delicately complex, understated and traditional. This has gentle and silky dried cherries, subtle leather tones, a touch of cedar and hints of sage and spice that are soft and finely detailed. An affordable old school classic.

What a delightful surprise this wine was! A bit firm at first, but with half an hour in the decanter it opened up beautifully. Aromatic notes of cedar and truffle on the nose. Ripe plum and cherry notes on the palate. Wonderfully silky texture. A classically styled, perfectly aged St-Emilion at its peak. Try this one with grilled duck breast.

I am a very picky drinker of aged Bordeaux and was a little hesitant when the RWC K&L recommended a 28 year old Merlot. Plus, Parker indicated this vintage could be over the hill, but decided to give it a try anyway.

Everyone at the table was blown away. Very little of the fruit is left, but the cedar and tobacco are sophisticated and perfect. The wine is well structured and I think in its prime (as of June 2012). You can decant this for several hours.

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Additional Information:

Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking.
A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France.